Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Newbery predictions?

The Newbery Awards for 2007 will be announced in about a week and I love seeing the predictions of the winners. Fanki and Mary Lee have a great round-up of the predictions so far.

I can't resist adding my two cents. The official criteria for the award states it's to be given to the, "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in English in the United States." The immediately eliminates one of my favorite books of the year, Framed by Frank Cotrell Boyce. I could really create two lists here: a list of the books that I would like to see win the Newbery, and a list of the books that I think have a more realistic chance of winning the Newbery. For instance, I would be shocked to find Kiki Strike, one of the finalists for the middle grade fiction Cybil Award, on the Newbery list because it isn't exactly a great literary novel, but kids will love it (and I have to mention that I do not always think that the majority of kids will LOVE some of the Newbery winners).

So, without giving it too much thought (I am on my lunchbreak so time is limited) here's a list of book that I would like to win that I think might actually have a chance:

Yellow Star by Jennifer RoyWeedflower by Cynthia KadohataRules by Cynthia LordJeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

And a few others that I would not be surprised to see on the list:Gossamerby Lois LowryThe Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen CushmanPenny From Heaven by Jennifer HolmHattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson (although I have to admit I haven't read this one)The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

I'd mention the Mirculous Journey of Edward Tulane, but Fuse #8 is on the committee and I have faith that she will not allow that to happen.

I have to be honest and tell you that I haven't spent anytime thinking about who will win the other awards. I could see Flotsam or Hippo! No, Rhino! as winners of the Caldecott and Moses by Carole Boston Weatherford as a Coretta Scott King winner and it seems like An Egg is Quiet should win something, maybe the Seibert award?

2 comments:

I just picked up a copy of RULES after seeing your list. Our lists are so close that we must have similar tastes as readers! So glad to see Jeremy Fink and Yellow Star on your list! My two very favorites:-)Franki